Curt B

Thank you, guys!

Beautiful Phantom! My only comment is that the landing gear and associated wheel wells could use a touch of weathering.

Moderators, please lock this thread. I was foolish to think, when I started it, that it could/would remain focused. My apologies to anyone who is/was offended by the ensuing discussion…

Well, you’ve stated the obvious, but that’s fine. The point I was trying to make when I started this thread was more specific on which products might be most affected. With the government oscillations as they are, that may be an impossible task.

Thanks! I think those stripes enhance any aircraft they are on, but clearly, some more than others.

Great airplane! I love the 727, and you did a wonderful job on yours! The wing details are fantastic!

Thank you, sir! Yes, combat pictures are great and useful, for sure! In addition, I’d like a book that focuses on details of the plane, from a modeler’s perspective, showing details that a modeler could duplicate during model builds.

Hi All, This may have been asked previously, but I couldn’t find anything…. What is the best book about the F-86, preferably focusing on the later variants like the F-86F? What I really want is a book that has the best detail photographs.

Interesting. I wonder if that is a result of the tariffs or some other factor. Regardless, I just today got my GWH A-10C Blacksnake kit which I bought from an EBay seller from China (I hadn't seen this particular kit available here in the US), and I'm glad it's in my hot little hands.

Honesty, I had no idea where this thread would go when I started it. Like many of you, I already have 10x as many kits as I could reasonably build in my remaining lifetime, but that still doesn’t mean I don’t want to get the latest and greatest kit(s) that continue to come out, especially on subjects that I find interesting and may not have had an appropriate plastic version previously available. I’m hoping that even the Chinese manufacturers won’t be significantly impacted, because I’ll still buy, as long as the prices don’t hit the stratosphere. I’m not interested in letting the tariffs af

Hey All, I REALLY didn’t want this to be political. I guess I was too stupid to think it could remain that way. Suggest locking the thread before it gets ugly and my sincere apologies for starting this without thinking hard enough about the likely path forward…

With the new tariffs being imposed by the US government, how badly will our hobby be affected? Considering a large majority of all our hobby products come from China, there’s no doubt there will be a significant impact. Is it time to buy like crazy to stock up? (Of course, this is just a point for the US members of this forum…)

I stand corrected!!! That photo convinces me! Thanks so much…I’ll use this info for my own Buccaneer build!!

I agree with A-10 Loader about not posting images from Jake's book without permission. That's why I offered to verbally describe anything you wanted to know about. But let me tell you that if you want a book about the A-10, Jake's book is THE book to have. Is it a bit pricey? Sure, but there are times you get what you pay for. This is the book, but it's getting harder to find: https://www.scalemates.com/books/the-modern-hog-guide-2nd-edition-modern-guide-jake-melampy--114583

Agreed, thanks for pointing out what I had originally missed.

Hey Cool Hand, many thanks!! I’ve seen these photos before, but I’d considered them too much of an oblique angle to determine where precisely the invasion stripes are located, particularly on the right wing. However, I suppose, with very detailed analysis, you might be able to determine, as MiniArt appears to have done, exactly where those stripes are located on each wing. I’ll have to take further look again on my own.

I’ve got the Jake Melampy book on the A-10, and it’s outstanding. If you have more questions, I may be able to answer them for you using this book.

Hi All, I’m working on a 1/48 MiniArt P-47D-25RE that I want to paint in Gabby Gabreski’s livery. I’ve noted, in the Advanced kit instructions, which include Gabreski’s plane, that the wing Invasion Stripes on the right wing are slightly outboard of the left wing stripes. I know there are only a few photos of this plane, and as far as I know, none were taken on the full top or bottom of each wing. Does anyone know why MiniArt would show this slight asymmetry? Are there photos of the actual plane that would support this? Thanks for any insight!

I appreciate that info. It will be useful to me when I build my Gannet. Thanks!

Thank you sir! I’ve always found those invasion stripes to be a really cool look, not to mention the significance of those stripes with respect to the beginning of the final downfall of the Nazi regime! My plan is to build every WWII aircraft (primarily fighters) that had invasion stripes applied. I’ve got a P-47 in progress, and will soon build the Robin Olds natural metal P-38 with those stripes. It’s gonna be awesome! 😋😋

WOW! I love everything about your Intruder...the build, the paint, the weathering. Absolutely spectacular build! I have a 1/48 Intruder in my stash, but I can't imagine it turning out anywhere near as fabulous as yours. Fantastic job in every way!!!

Super nice build, and love the figures! You need to get even better and closer photos of the airplane to show off the great work you did!

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC BUILD AND PAINT!!!!! I have the same model, and plan to paint it in the same digital camo, and can only HOPE it comes out even close to as nice as yours! Truly a GREAT job!!!

Thanks for the comments, guys!

LOL I would agree with your assessment of naked, but only because this one is/was a Heritage aircraft, meant to be clean and with limited arms. I'm planning on a few more A-10 planes, and at least one will be loaded up and filthy, for sure! Thanks for the comments!